Neighbor kills fenced-in pup, Upshur County dog owner says

An Upshur County man has been accused of shooting and killing his neighbor's puppy, which was in the owner's fenced-in backyard.

According to Upshur County judicial records, Jerry Humphreys, 64, was arrested on charges of deadly conduct, discharging of a firearm in the direction of an individual and cruelty to animals. He was held Friday in the Upshur County Jail; no bond has been set.

Kaylie Dollison of Diana said Humphreys shot her 7-month-old puppy, Maximus, in the head with a scoped rifle.

She had let the lab and pit bull mix out of the house and into the backyard when she heard a gun shot.

"I put my kids in the room with the other dogs, grabbed my gun and went outside," said Dollison, who has lived at the home for four years.

"The guy who lives behind me actually had a rifle pointed at my face," she said.

Dollison said Humphreys claimed Maximus attacked him, but she added that the dog's temperament made that unlikely.

Dollison said she runs a rescue facility, and she will have between 10 to 15 dogs at her house at one time.

"(Maximus) has literally been the perfect dog," Dollison said. "He is without a doubt the best one I have had."

She added that she would leave her newborn in the same room with Maximus.

Upshur County Game Warden Mark Frayser said he was called to the home, but declined to provide any information.

A call placed to Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton was not immediately returned.